Bernard Randall’s agony continues

The Church of England appears to be doubling down on its years-long isolation of Dr Bernard Randall following a recent safeguarding meeting.

Randall was dismissed from his post at a CofE school as posing a safeguarding risk after giving a talk in 2019 on accepted church teachings on sexuality. The Bishop of Derby subsequently barred him from preaching.

According to Christian Concern – which is campaigning for his restoration to the ministry – when Randall met most recently with CofE safeguarding adviser Lee Elliot and the Bishop’s deputy as part of its safeguarding investigation, he was told he remained a risk and that his future sermons and beliefs could cause emotional and spiritual harm.

When Elliot referred to his Christian beliefs as “your views”, Randall said: “These are not my views … they are the teachings of the Church of England”.

Randall is also awaiting a retrial by the Employment Tribunal. Various external agencies including the Teaching Regulation Agency and the Disclosure and Barring Service have vindicated him.